Instrument mallet



B. w. DANE 2,473,865

INSTRUMENT MALLET June 21, 1949.

Filed Nov. 15, 1946 Patented June 21, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEINSTRUMENT MALLET Bruce W. Dane, Newark, N. J. Application November 15,1946, Serial No. 710,135

2 Claims. (01. 84-404) This invention pertains to a mallet forpercussion instruments and more particularly to a mallet of novelconstruction and which is particularly well adapted for use in playingsuch musical instruments as the marimba and Vibraharp.

Present mallets of the general class contemplated by this inventioncomprise a slender, resilient handle having a striker head attached toone end. The head is in the form of a solid sphere and is usually madeof wood. The characteristically sharp, metallic tones of an Xylophoneare produced by striking the tone bars directly with the Wooden head ofthe mallet. However, such sharp tones are considered as harsh andobjectionable in a marimba or Vibraharp. Hence, the spherical head of amarimba mallet is wrapped with several layers of wool yarn. While such amallet produces a relatively soft tone it is accompanied by a markedsacrifice of volume.

It has been proposed to make the head of molded rubber and while such amallet does not produce the objectionable hard tone the volume level ofthe note is also relatively low.

An object of this invention is the provision of a mallet having a headof novel construction whereby the user may produce notes of substantialvolume yet of a pleasing quality.

An object of this invention is the provision of a mallet having astriker head provided with a circumferential groove whereby the headpossesses increased resiliency at the region of impact with the tonebar.

An object of this invention is the provision of a mallet comprising adisc-shaped head that includes a circumferential groove, a balanceweight in said head, a handle attached to the head through the medium ofthe balance weight and a wrapping of yarn surrounding the head.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from thefollowing description when taken with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate one embodiment of the invention. The drawings are forpurposes of illustration and are not to be construed as defining thescope or limits of the invention, reference being had for this purposeto the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein like numerals identify like parts in the severalviews;

Figure 1 is an isometric view showing the components of a mallet madeaccording to this invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the complete, assembled mallet; and

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the striker head and illustratingthe angle at which the head strikes the tone bar when the mallet is inuse.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral It refers to the head ofthe mallet which may be made of any suitable, non-metallic material,preferably wood. The head includes a bore ll of a diameter related tothat of the metal bushing I2 so that the latter may be forced into thebore by pressure. The use of the metal bushing I2 is optional as itspurpose is to weight or balance the mallet for maximum ease and speed ofmanipulation. When the metal bushing is omitted the size of the bore His determined by the diameter of handle l3 which comprises a thin rod ofresilient material such as plastic or rattan Wood.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the end of the handle [3is adapted to be force fitted into the hole of the metal bushing l2. Toassure a firm, permanent assembly of the component parts the coactingsurfaces of the bore I I, bushing l2 and handle l3 may be coated with athin film of cement prior to the assembly thereof. After the parts areassembled the head of the mallet is covered with a wrapping H such aswool yarn.

It is pointed out that the head I 0 is shaped somewhat in the form of adisc, rather than a solid sphere, and is provided with a relativelydeep, circumferential groove IS. The groove [5 affords a certain amountof motion or give to the wood in the region of impact with the tone barwhen the mallet is used in playing as shown in Figure 3. Added to theinherent resiliency of the wood the fibers of the wood at the point ofimpact I6 are afforded a certain amount of motion toward the groove Hi,the extent of such motion being a function of the force of the impact.Thus, when the user strikes the tone bar lightly to produce a tone oflow volume, the yarn covering serves to prevent the production of ahard, metallic tone. On the other hand, when the user strikes the tonebar with considerable force to produce a tone of substantial volume theinitial force of the impact is absorbed in causing the slight amount ofmotion of edge Hi. It will now be apparent that a mallet made inaccordance with my invention affords the player a means for controllingvolume without fear of producing harsh tones.

Having described my invention certain variations and modifications willnow be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. An instrument mallet comprising a head of 3 rigid material said headhaving substantially parallel opposed surfaces, a metal bushingcentrally disposed in said head, a resilient handle having one endinserted into said metal bushing, a circumferential groove in the edgeof said head, and a covering of yarn encasing the said head.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the head is made ofwood.

BRUCE W. DANE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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